Beer: Ratings & Reviews

Reviews by TexIndy:

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a Duvel tulip. Bottled 9/11 clearly shown on bottom right of front label - thank you!Dark brown almost black with mahogany edges. It had a good sized foamy tan head that slowly settled into a thick collar and central foam cap. Great sheeting with lots sticking.

The aroma was dark malt, black bread, bitter chocolate on the malt side along with piney hops and a touch of grapefruit on the hop side. Not liking the blend for some reason. The taste is bitter from the start with little letup and not much to offset or balance it. Most black ales are pretty bitter but this one is beyond the normal and, for me, a touch too much on the bitter just to be bitter side. Also has an aspirin taste to it. Mouthfeel is medium with crisp carbonation and a very bitter aftertaste.

Overall, it was too bitter without any balance to it for me. If you like the very bitter ones then this is for you. If not, I'd not recommend. Just entered the TX market - welcome! Rotation - excited to try some of their other beers (already like the Clementine) but one of this one is enough for me for now. Might try again done the road as my bitter palate develops [N;N;BL]

More User Reviews:

22oz bottle, bottled first week of February, 2011.In a pint glass the beer the beer was a black color with a thick tan head. The head dissipated quickly, leaving some sticky lace.Very fresh, outdoors aroma. Floral. Sweet chocolate. Some peppery hops.Taste starts off with some caramel chocolate, then some piney hops. Grapefruit next, which builds in intensity. At the end, we're back to caramel and chocolate.Nice smooth mouthfeel.To my mind, this is the embodiment of a black IPA, kind of the best of both worlds.

From a bomber bought in Somerville. Had straight from the bomber, no time for pouring into a glass. I can still tell it has quite a nice foam head, and a very dark color, precise analysis of shades and tints unnecessary. Whiff of both hops and malts, exactly what you want in a black IPA. Same goes for taste, both a nice malt flavor, not too choclatey closer to nutty, and the hops leave a citrus note and are not over powering. Not overpowering on either stout or IPA qualities, I'd say almost a 50/50 blend of a standard nutty stout and a citrusy IPA. It works well. This is a great black IPA! regularly available and is of high quality. If you are into black IPA's this is one you can put in the books as one you can rely on.

The hops provide an impressive head, not pitch black, though certainly dark enough for the style. Soft resin hop nose builds to piney, minty and ruby red grapefruit heights--combined with brownie batter and a faint alcohol there's a complex aroma. Very lush and creamy body; a pleasure to sip. Hoppiness is bold but not too aggressive, though the bit- terness does come on strong. Dark chocolate and toasted bread graininess displays a great base. Some yeast and fruiti- ness in the back are covered for the most part by the blanket of piney citric hop flavor. East Coast flexing its muscles.

A - Black, opaque, tall tan head, leaves a good bit of lacing. Low carbonation as far as I could tell by tilting glass.

S - Roasted malt followed by a bit of chocolate then some citrus hop notes.

T - The malt takes the front seat in this beer, lots of roasted and chocolate flavors. The first second had me thinking porter but then the citrus hop flavors start to come through, but never take over.

M - Moderate body, a bit of acidic bite from the roasted malt. Hope notes at end keep it feeling fresh.

A: Black with deep brown highlights. The head is fluffy and tan, spreading in sheets of microbubbles on the glass.

S: The scent is surprisingly sweet sporting strong notes of caramel, cocoa, and brown sugar. There are also hints of espresso and earth.

T: Smooth and sweet with nice malt complexity. The sweetness is the cornerstone comprised of cocoa nibs, brown sugar, caramel and toffee. The is also some toasted grain which transitions to a mild bitterness that is predominately earthy with a touch of citrus zest, flowers and pine. The alcohol is well hidden.

M: Smooth and creamy with faint to moderate carbonation. The soft feels synergism with the sweet palate culminates to a chocholate milk like experience.

O: An enjoyable dark brew but in the end lacked the hop feel and complexity of a great black IPA.